A collection of scriptural meditations from Saints and Fathers of the Church.

Just as desire and rage multiply our sins, so self-control and humility erase them.

Long-suffering and readiness to forgive curb anger; love and compassion wither it.

Struggle until death to fulfill the commandments: purified through them, you will enter into life.

As the gradual pouring of water on a fire completely extinguishes the flame, so the tears of mourning are able to quench every flame of anger and irritability. Therefore, we place this next in order. (after mourning).

Do not hesitate to go late at night to those places where you usually feel afraid. But if you yield only a little to such weakness, then this childish and ridiculous infirmity will grow old with you. As you go on your way, arm yourself with prayer. When you reach the place, stretch out your hands. Flog your enemies with the name of Jesus, for there is no stronger weapon in heaven or earth. When you get rid of the disease of fear, praise Him who has delivered you. If you continue to be thankful, He will protect you for ever.

Control your stomach, sleep, anger, and tongue, and you will not 'dash your foot against a stone.'

Fear of the Lord conquers desire, and distress that accords with God's will repulses sensual pleasure.

All sin is due to sensual pleasure, all forgiveness to hardship and distress.

Spiritual freedom is release from the passions; without Christ’s mercy you cannot attain it.

Patient endurance is the soul's struggle for virtue; where there is struggle for virtue, self-indulgence is banished.

Listlessness is an apathy of soul; and a soul becomes apathetic when sick with self-indulgence.

As writing is washed out by water, so sins can be washed out by tears.

Love and humility form a holy pair; what the first builds, the second binds, thus preventing the building from falling asunder.

A vigilant eye makes the mind pure; but much sleep hardens the soul.

Repentance raises the fallen, mourning knocks at the gate of Heaven, and holy humility opens it.

Control your appetites before they control you.

When you are praying, don’t rack your brains to find words. On many occasions the simple, monotonous stammering of children has satisfied their Father who is in heaven. Don’t bother to be loquacious lest the mind is bewildered in the search for words. The tax-collector gained the Lord’s forgiveness with a single sentence, and a single word charged with faith was the salvation of the robber. Loquacity in prayer often fills the head with foolish fancies and provokes distractions. Brevity on the other hand - sometimes only one word is enough - in general favors recollection.

Satiety of the stomach dries the tear sprints, but the stomach when dried produces these waters.

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Archangel Michael Orthodox Church
5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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[email protected]
440-526-5192 (Phone)